Salty's on the Columbia - Portland

My husband and I have eaten at Portland Salty's on two different visits to Portland, both memorable dinners. Good view, good service, good fish and crab of course. Wine list is good too. Overall, we'll probably return this year too and might get to the WA Salty's too!

Love the view, it's the best out there on Marine Drive, too bad the food doesn't rise to the same level. Menu is pricey, and for the money, is unremarkable.

Reservations were made 1 1/2 weeks in advance for 7 PM seating. Window seating was requested at that time. Upon our prompt arrival, we were informed that there would be a 20 to 25 minute wait for our window seating. This was no problem as we went to the bar for a pre dinner cocktail. About the time that we were finishing our drinks we were told that our table was ready. We were then lead to an interior table that had been vacant all along. I expressed my dissatisfaction, but was curtly told that this was the only table available so I relented. Within 2 minutes of our seating, I watched as a window table was cleared and new settings placed. My question Why even bother with a reservation system if you can't train your staff to perform the service. We started the dinner with the clam and mussel appetizer and bottle of dry white wine. Very tasty and well presented. My main course consisted of grilled prawns, garlic potatoes and green beans. My wife chose one of the house salmon specials. Both dinners were well presented and tasty. Our waiter was prompt and performed well. Dinner prices are high as too be expected at a restaurant with such nice viewings of the Columbia River (if you are lucky enough to get window seating). Our dinner total for 2 including our pre dinner cocktails came to $180.

The atmosphere was wonderful; the live Jazz music made it a very relaxing meal. The coconut flake prawns were amazing, full of flavor, yet light and crispy. The entree was a crab dinner, the crab was cooked just perfect, and the whole meal was just magical.

Wine was wildly overpriced. Rombauer Chardonnay which I get in other restaurants from $48 to $60 max was priced at $90. Absolute theft. The salmon special was FARMED SALMON. The waitress recommended the King Crab and Steak. The steak was tasteless and the King Crab was snow crab. I still can 't get what little taste there was out of my mouth. I 'm really disappointed. The Salty 's in Seattle has always been good. Don 't waste your money in Portland. There are some excellent restaurants downtown. I won 't specify because I don 't want anyone to think I am just shilling. This Salty 's SUCKED.